Our governance structure consists of Non-Executive Directors (independent and appointed), Executive Directors, a volunteer Company Secretary and Honorary Life Governors. Honorary Life Governors are individuals who have made an exceptional and outstanding contribution to the NSRI over a number of years.
We strive to achieve transparency, accountability, integrity and ethical leadership as well as provide practical guidance regarding the sustainable development of the NSRI and all its activities.
An overview of our organisation, its history and people.
Johnny is a Mining Engineer, and he has a broad and varied experience in the mining industry. He has worked for several well-known companies, including De Beers, AngloGold Ashanti, BHP Billiton and Gem Diamonds. During his career Johnny has been exposed to many different environments having either lived or worked extensively across the African continent, Canada, Chile and Australia. Johnny has filled operational, executive and Board roles across multiple commodities such as Diamonds, Gold, Iron Ore, Copper and Cobalt. Johnny is now the CEO of a company focussed on providing key raw materials for the electric vehicle battery market. Over and above this Johnny is currently serving as a non-Executive director on the Boards of DRA Global and Zanaga Iron Ore Company.
Zaeem Soofie is a senior partner of the South Africa office of Dentons, the world's largest law firm. He is an energy sector specialist, with practice experience in several legal areas, notably dispute resolution, risk, compliance, governance, and investigations. Zaeem is a former UK and Africa-based BP Executive, General Counsel of two of its global businesses, and Chairman of BP Mozambique. He is also the Lead Independent Director of a major sporting body.
Mike is an experienced healthcare leader with over 20 years of management experience in both the United Kingdom and South Africa. A qualified psychologist, he also holds advanced qualifications in Health Leadership and Human Resource Management. Before his appointment as NSRI CEO in 2024, Mike served for 13 years as CEO of George Regional Hospital, where he was pivotal in advancing clinical excellence and promoting innovation and sustainability. A dedicated NSRI volunteer, Mike has risen through the ranks as a crew member, coxswain, and station commander. He combines strategic leadership, a strong ethical foundation, and operational excellence with an unwavering commitment to NSRI’s volunteer ethos.
During her career, Janine has been involved in change strategy, marketing, advertising, communications and customer relationship management for a number of South African and overseas corporates.
Brett joined the NSRI in 2000, serving as a volunteer through the ranks in Durban before joining head office in 2014. He has a background in operations management and training, with extensive marine experience as a surveyor, dive industry professional and commercial skipper. He holds a BSC(Hons) Degree in Geology and an MBA.
Radha has extensive experience and knowledge of the South African health sector, managed health care and clinical policy development. Her strength lies in her ability to galvanise clinical and management teams to meet set goals.
Clifford joined the NSRI 29 years ago, and has served at Station 5 (Durban) as Crewman, Coxswain and Station Commander. Clifford is a registered Professional Engineer and a Director in his Consulting Engineering company.
Pretty Molefe (34) Holds a National Diploma in Maritime Studies and is a qualified Master Mariner. Pretty has been in the Maritime Industry for 15 years with operational experience as a seafarer, SAMSA Ship Surveyor and Deputy Principal Officer. She is currently appointed in a role of Head of Sea Watch and Response within the South African Maritime Safety Authority.
Born in Johannesburg and proudly schooled at King Edward VII in Houghton. James Beaumont studied at University of Cape Town (UCT) and articled at KPMG. He also has an MBA at UCT (Cum Laude) and was awarded the Old Mutual Scholar for academic achievement and was an overall gold medallist. He received National colours for rowing and Provincial colours for sailing (offshore keel boat racing). I am an active mountain and road cyclist. I am an active participant in Sport and GT and single seater motor racing where I race an historical Ford GT40 and a Reynard Formula 3 single seater (current regional class A champion). I own and race both offshore keelboats as well as inshore keel boats. He has spent a large part of his life at sea in both power and sail boats and has a commercial unlimited SAMSA (A) ticket for power and sail. He is deeply passionate about saving lives at sea and this has driven him to join the NSRI in the early 2000s and has been a class 1 coxswain for about 20 years. He was also involved in the founding of the Air rescue unit and was active in that unit for many years as a rescue swimmer and rescue officer.
Lynn is an experienced Finance leader, a CA(SA) with well-rounded Internal Audit and financial Management gained from Operational and Financial management experience obtained from working in small to large multinational organisations and NGOs. Managing team sizes from 2 to 40 (including cross-border in Rwanda). Lynn spent over 15 years as a Financial Manager and headed up the Internal Audit Department of a listed company where she spent 7 years and spearheaded the rollout of risk-based audits. Lynn currently serves as a non-executive Director of two private companies and serves on the Management Committee of an NGO and is a Council Member of the Governing Body of a large private school. After graduating from the University of Western Cape with a B. Compt (Hons) degree, Lynn Davis went on to write the Board Exam and qualified as a Chartered Accountant and served Articles at Ernst and Young with a broad spectrum of audit clients.
Grant started surfing and lifesaving at the age of 9, developing a passion for the ocean which has translated into a maritime career spanning over 36 years. After serving as a senior sea going officer in the South African Navy, Grant transitioned to the Merchant Navy, where he sailed as Master for over 13 years. His experience includes tankers, container vessels, towing, anchor handling and salvage. His last command was as Master on the Singapore Navy's Submarine Search and Rescue vessel. Grant holds a Master of Commerce degree, professional qualifications from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and an executive course from GIBS business school. He currently holds the position of Vice President for HSSEQ as well as Aviation and Marine Technical for a multinational downstream oil company. Grant serves on the MANCO, a number of boards and as well as the IBIA Africa board. When not serving proudly as a coxswain with Station 16, he can be found sailing or riding his motorcycle.
San Makanjee is an experienced leader in human capital, currently serving as the Global Head of People for Cognia Law. Her role focuses on creating a progressive people strategy to make Cognia the best workplace in the legal sector. She emphasises People & Culture thought leadership to enhance employee experience and foster a positive workplace culture that drives business growth. Key initiatives include developing engagement strategies, implementing feedback mechanisms, and shaping leadership development programs that encourage leaders to embody company values and support employees in reaching their full potential.
Lindani Mchunu was born in Claremont Township in Durban, his journey is one that began in Kwa - Zulu Natal and ultimately landed him in Cape Town as the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) Academy manager. His primary role being creating a bridge for under privileged youth of the Cape Flats, into the sailing and boat building world of the Western Cape. It took him to, ABROMOWITZ, SHARP & ASSOCIATES (Pty) Ltd Yacht Brokers, the sole distributor of Princess Yachts on the African Continent. He was the first and only Black Associate of a Yacht Brokerage on the Continent and hopefully not the last but the first of many to follow. He has Yacht Master Offshore qualification, he now works at the V&A Waterfront, as the Marine manager. Managing the harbour precinct of the V&A, from Super Yachts, charter vessels and traditional fishing vessels. This journey has taken him from South Africa to the World and back again, it has taken him from Land to Water and back to Land again.
Kelly Fourie joined the NSRI in 2019, and has served at Station 15 (Mossel Bay) since. She is currently serving as the station's first female Deputy Station Commander. Kelly is an admitted and practicing attorney and conveyancer specialising in commercial, fiduciary, and real estate law. She is also a member of the Fiduciary Institute of South Africa, has served on the board of the Mossel Bay Business Chamber since 2018 and has recently joined the governing body of another local NPO. Kelly is passionate about leadership, excellence, and the service of others; and she has dedicated her life to these pursuits.
Bernard Schäfer’s dynamic mix of financial and big corporate history combined with his intelligence background and specialised security services knowledge as well as his international experience in general management, risk management, strategy and project management consulting, equipped him with a range of skills which he put to good use in helping to revolutionise the fight against crime in the Western Cape by developing key partnerships and creating various structures and entities that embraced and pioneered latest technologies and services to augment the state’s offering and capabilities. Bernard’s meticulous attention to detail whilst having the ability to think beyond the given confines, coupled with his innovative personality, have earned him a reputation of being an astute problem-solver and achiever in any industry. Bernard is also currently in his 18th year of service to NSRI Station 2 Bakoven.
Board effectiveness evaluations are conducted biannually, the scope of which includes an evaluation of the NSRI Board of Directors collectively and a peer-to-peer review of each individual Board member. A detailed report is compiled on the outcomes of the evaluations, with recommendations highlighted for consideration.
The highly anticipated IMRF People's Choice Award 2024 winner was announced at the IMRF Annual Meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece. This year, Dr Cleeve Robertson, former NSRI CEO, received the award for his outstanding contributions to the NSRI.
8 November 2024. Dr Cleeve Robertson announced as the 2024 winner of the International Maritime Rescue Federation’s Lifetime Achievement in the Maritime Search and Rescue sector:
Johan Muller, a dedicated NSRI volunteer, was recently honoured with the prestigious Gold Gallantry Award for his extraordinary efforts during the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in 2022.
For the first time in its history, the NSRI presented Gold Gallantry awards to crew members for their bravery in dangerous situations at its 57th Annual Awards Evening and AGM.
The Capital Zimbali in Ballito set the stage for a night of celebration and recognition on 19 July, as the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) hosted its 57th Annual Awards Evening and AGM.
On Friday, July 19, the NSRI held its 57th Annual Awards Evening and AGM at the Capital Zimbali in Ballito. This event was a heartfelt celebration of our devoted volunteers and other courageous individuals who selflessly risk their lives to rescue others on South African waters. We honored their unwavering commitment and extraordinary acts of bravery, acknowledging the vital role they play in ensuring the safety and well-being of those in peril at sea.
